Nebulizing drug delivery device with an increased flow rate

Abstract

The present invention provides a nebulizing drug delivery system for delivering an aerosolized drug to a user having various features to increase the capacity of the drug delivery device. The drug delivery system includes a heater to increase the viscosity of the drug, a double aerosolizing system to double the capacity of the device, and a valve system to continuously replenish drug to the aerosol generator thereby providing a high speed delivery.

1 . A nebulizing drug delivery device, comprising:
 a housing having an inlet and an outlet;   an aerosol generator in communication with a fluid;   a temperature sensor that senses a temperature of the drug solution; and   a heater in functional communication with the temperature sensor, the heater being operable in response to the temperature sensor to maintain the temperature of the drug solution above a threshold temperature.   
     
     
         2 . A nebulizing drug device according to  claim 1 , wherein the threshold temperature can be adjusted. 
     
     
         3 . A nebulizing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the heater is positioned to heat the drug solution. 
     
     
         4 . A nebulizing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a drug solution reservoir in the housing, and a valve that can be opened to supply the drug solution from the reservoir, wherein the heater is positioned to heat the drug solution in the reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . A nebulizing device according to  claim 4 , wherein the valve comprises an electrically operated solenoid, the solenoid being in communication with the temperature sensor, the solenoid being operated to open the valve and enable the drug solution to flow from the reservoir to the barrier in response to the temperature sensor indicating that the temperature of the drug solution is above the threshold level. 
     
     
         6 . A nebulizing device according to  claim 5 , wherein the solenoid remains open until the device is turned off. 
     
     
         7 . A nebulizing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor turns the heater on and off to maintain the drug solution with a range. 
     
     
         8 . A nebulizing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the heater is turned off in response to the temperature sensor determining that the drug solution is above an upper threshold level, and wherein the heater is turned off and on to maintain the drug solution within a temperature range. 
     
     
         9 . A nebulizing device comprising:
 a housing having an inlet and an outlet;   an aerosol generator;   a temperature sensor that senses a temperature of the drug solution; and   a heater in functional communication with the temperature sensor, the heater being operable in response to the temperature sensor to maintain the drug above a threshold temperature; wherein the drug solution is a surfactant.   
     
     
         10 . The nebulizing device as recited in  claim 9  wherein the threshold temperature is approximately about 37 degrees Celsius.